rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypompadourSwept-back hairstyle
noun

pompadour

PAHM-puh-dor/ˈpɑːmpədɔːr/

A hairstyle with hair swept upward and back from the forehead.

His pompadour rises over the forehead and sweeps backward.

A close three-quarter profile of a young man with a clearly shaped pompadour: the hair rises prominently above the forehead, then sweeps backward over the crown, with shorter sides leaving the silhouette unobstructed.
Etymology
pompadourFrenchtitle-name of the Marquise de Pompadour

The hairstyle takes its name from the Marquise de Pompadour, who wore her hair swept up and rolled back from her forehead over a cushion. The name later extended to men's hairstyles.

In context

Conan O'Brien0:10
You are the king of hair. You have the only remaining pompadour in the business, so.
Katt Williams Thinks Rappers Are Funnier Than Comedians | Late Night with Conan O’Brien

More examples

  • The singer’s pompadour rose above his forehead.
  • The barber shaped the pompadour carefully.
  • An old photograph showed her elaborate pompadour hairstyle.

Forms

pompadour · pompadours

Similar words

quiff
A quiff lifts hair at the front; a pompadour typically sweeps a larger volume upward and back.